“She (Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21); “I tell you, her (the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with tears) many sins have been forgiven–as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47)
Lord Jesus, first of all, thank you for coming into our world to save us. By your life, death, and resurrection, all of our sins are forgiven—the sins we’re painfully aware of, and the ones about which we remain clueless.
But it’s not just what you took from us (our sins); but also, what you’ve given us. We are now robed in your righteousness—a robe that is actually a wedding garment. We are that forgiven and that loved.
How then shall we respond? What’s the best way to celebrate this or any Christmas? What “gift” can we give you? We who’ve been forgiven much (everything) are to love you much. With tears of gratitude, forgiven hearts, our remaining days and whole being, we want to love you, Jesus—joyfully, passionately, and as you delight.
What delights you the most? That we love others as you love us, and forgive others as you have forgiven us. Oh Jesus… it’d be much easier to buy something online and have UPS deliver it.
Jesus, Christmas 2021 is upon us. Stagger us with your love afresh, and channel your love through us—not just to the ones who are easy to love. Help us love the indifferent, the snarky, the irritating, the ungrateful, those who are “chill” to us, and you—those who, like us, you came to save. So very very Amen we pray.